Exclusive: A look inside UTEP's point-zone defense

by Eric Obrien

EL PASO, Texas (CBS4) —

The UTEP Men's Basketball team started the season as what head coach Tim Floyd paraphrased: a disgrace to the late Don Haskins.

Through their first 15 games the team was (2-13) and playing some of the worst statistical defense in the country. Fast-forward to the Conference USA tournament and the Miners were sitting in the stands watching, waiting to find out their next opponent because UTEP had earned a first-round bye and closing the second half of the season (12-3). At this point, even 'The Bear' himself must be smiling at C-USA's third-ranked defense.

Their secret?

It's called the point-zone defense, a season-saving elixir assistant coach Bobby Braswell told CBS4's Eric O'Brien UTEP had up its sleeve all along.

"I couldn't tell you two things we're doing in it," Floyd joked. "I'm just sitting back and watching like everyone else, but I'm enjoying what I'm seeing."

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#4 UTEP takes on #5 Rice Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in Birmingham, Alabama. The game can be seen on CBS4's sister station KFOX 14.